Table and Bar

Founders Brewery offers limited edition beer to benefit ArtPrize

Last year, Founders Brewing signed a contract with ArtPrize, sealing the five year deal to make them the official brewery of the competition. Their first special brew to celebrate the event was last year's Inspired Artist Black IPA. This year's offering, also with an art themed name, is Mosaic Promise. Proceeds from sales of six packs of this ale will benefit ArtPrize.

Part of the illustrious reputation of Founders is there ability to concoct complex -sometimes convoluted- beers. When it comes to barrel aging, they are one of the best brewers in the country. However, it is when the Grand Rapids brewery tackles simpler tasks that it surprises beer geeks. Such is the case with the limited edition Mosaic Promise.

Priding itself on just how simple it is, this recipe consists of only one type of hop -mosaic- and only one type of malt -golden promise. Hence, Mosaic Promise.

The label on the bottle is also connected to ArtPrize. Submitted last year by Matt and Elizabeth Kolenda and Adrienne Hollemans and Maria Orr, who comprise the collective Kolenda Art Glass, the stained glass depicts Ninkasi, the Sumerian goddess of beer, with whom the piece shares a name. The piece now sits in the Founders taproom.

On to the beer itself. Pouring into the glass, it has a beautiful golden color with good effervescence ad a light head that dissipates quickly. The nose is sharp and slightly sour with an intense floral character. Aromas of stone fruits are detectable from across the room -think peaches and mangoes.

Mosaic Promise, in all its simplicity, still boasts an IBU rating of fifty, rivaling most American IPAs. At just 5.5% alcohol, it goes down smoothly, without causing any wincing or the dreaded "bitter beer face." As evidenced in the nose, flavors of stone fruits add a touch of sweetness, while notes of straw give this beer a slightly sour funk. The combination of flavors makes for an incredibly refreshing brew. The effervescence makes the mouthfeel slightly dry, like a sparkling wine. The finish is crisp and clean with a slight sweetness.

Overall, this is a beer of very high quality. Beautiful both in the bottle and out. The stripped down recipe allows the essence of the beer to shine through. Get it while it lasts and help out ArtPrize.